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With so many great events at resorts around Summit all summer, sometimes it's a little shocking to hear about Labor Day and the impending shoulder season. Keystone makes sure to send everyone away happy with its 24th annual Taste of Keystone and a Labor Day weekend for the whole family.

The Taste of Keystone is the resort's foodie extravaganza, and has become a staple of its fall event lineup. Taking place Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Lakeside Village (with plenty of adjacent free parking), 13 of Keystone's key dining establishments work together to provide the delectables. Three of those restaurants are AAA four-diamond rated. Tasting tickets are a buck each, with most dishes ranging from two to five tickets each. Examples of the cuisine include the Ski Tip's char-grilled tiger shrimp with avocado, Olathe corn salsa, cherry tomato and creme fraiche.

"What makes the Taste of Keystone extra special is Keystone Resort's incredible participating restaurants that truly are some of the best eateries in the county. Exceptional food like this you usually only find in cities, so to have all these scrumptious tastings right in our backyard is pretty special," explained Keystone's Tucker Burton. "Plus, you can't forget our executive pastry chef Ned Archibald who is one of the most gifted pastry chefs I have ever witnessed. I don't know too many chefs who can make hamburger cupcake desserts that actually look like hamburgers."

Throughout the day, a silent auction takes place, concluding at 2:30 p.m. with winners announced at 3. Proceeds from the event go to help support Summit County's Mountain Mentors Program (www.summit

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And don't fret, children's activities will of course be taking place throughout the weekend, adding breathers for parents to the breathtaking views. Bungee trampolines, bounce houses and miniature golf will keep everyone entertained. In the heart of the Taste of Keystone festivities is Keystone's 5-acre lake, which offers paddle boating, canoes, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.

Labor Day weekend will also include a merchant's tent sale in Keystone's River Run Village, with big discounts on summer and winter inventory, including merchants Gorsuch, Christy Sports, Keystone Sports and more. Free in-resort transportation can whisk you back-and-forth between the two events.

For out-of-towners who may not be accustomed to the variety and quality of mountain activities at the resort, take advantage of gondola rides, hiking, one of the great downhill mountain biking parks in the area as well as cross-country mountain biking and perfect road riding, golf and more.

Tastings and music - featuring the ever-popular WhiteWater Ramble and its self-described high-octane Rocky Mountain dancegrass - begin at 11 a.m. The event is billed as zero waste: all plates, cups and utensils are biodegradable and recycling containers will be strategically placed throughout the venue.

For those looking to beat traffic, a variety of lodging packages are available starting at $89 a night (fourth night free) at the Keystone Inn. Golfers may want to check out the Play for Free golf package, starting at $126 per person and including a round at the Ranch Course. Call (800) 328-1323 or visit www.keystone

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